A BOLTON woman has raised thousands for mental health charities after she found an unexpected passion — wrestling.

A Bromley Cross woman who threw herself into the world of wrestling just last year has now brought in a huge £3,913 for charity with the sport.

Lucy Openshaw, a dog walker by day, found her life turned upside down after she was taken to her first wrestling show. She said: “I went to watch a wrestling match and I didn’t really expect much from it or to really enjoy myself. I ended up being completely invested.”

To her surprise, the 30-year-old became instantly captivated by the showmanship: “It’s just an escape from real life, it’s all about the story lines, you get to know the characters. It’s like a soap sport.

“I started going to more shows and even started training myself. I wanted to work in wrestling because I loved being part of the show.”

Ms Openshaw got her first gig interviewing wrestlers and her career as a ring announcer for professional wrestling took off. Exactly one year after that first interview, Ms Openshaw used her passion for wrestling for another cause close to her heart. She created a charity wrestling night — Fight the Good Fight — to raise money for mental health charity Mind and suicide prevention group Papyrus.

Ms Openshaw said: “I have struggled with my mental health and wrestling encouraged me to push my boundaries and socialise.”

On Sunday night, she brought 40 wrestlers together at Fairfield Social Club for a six-match showdown in front of an audience of more than 100 family, friends and people from the wrestling community.

After months of planning, the night went off without a hitch. She said: “It was a challenge, but it was incredible. We raised over £2,000 online and there were lots of donations on the night.

“Everyone involved did it for free, we were all really made up to be behind the cause. I had so much help from lots of people. It was an amazing atmosphere — there’s already talk of doing it again next year.”